Lots of Thank You's!

So, yesterday I got a really nice convo from Blushie at etsy that my Lighter Shade of Pale beads were in her treasury. I am thrilled! And what's really interesting is that Sea Urchin, who makes beautiful porcelain beads, is in the same treasury. Sea Urchin just ordered beads from me and they're on their way to her in England!

I want to thank everyone who has been shopping at Painting with Fire. When I started selling Thompson Enamels in late February, I ordered 17 enamel colors. The $1,700 order put a serious dent in our family's checkbook ... no way I had that much money in mine. What gave me the idea to become a Thompson distributor was that I had recently taught a workshop at the Morean Arts Center in St. Pete. At the end of the workshop, I had torches, bead pulling stations, and beads for sale. The students said, "What? No Enamels?" I took my cue from the students so that when I taught the Reston workshop for Jeanette Blix and Cindy Wimmer, I was prepared.

When I learned how to torch fire enamel, I was given 3 different enamel colors: white, red, and a red and white color mix. But I want students to experience the different colors in the workshop so that they have an idea of what they like. I bring every color we have in inventory to the workshop. It's like opening your crayon box!

I've continued to add more enamel colors so that we now carry 35 different enamels ... and liquid enamels, cat whiskers. I have some tripods that I'll be listing, too, and some great copper beads. Nice round, simple copper beads. They are the best price that I've seen anywhere, including at Trash City.

We will continue to expand selections to meet the needs of our customers. It's my commitment to you. Plus I pride myself on fast shipping and on giving advice ... whether you want it or not! :-) Actually, a lot of people just starting out have no idea what to choose. We all start at this point. I'm happy to make color recommendations based upon my experience with the different enamels.

The Painting with Fire Ning continues to thrive with excited members who are posting pictures of some of the most beautiful work. If you're interested in torch firing enamel but haven't quite made the commitment yet, join us at www.paintingwithfire.ning.com. It's a way to check out what torch firing is all about and when you're ready to get started, it is the technical and moral support part of the equation.

Painting with Fire beads will be in the Bead Beat of the upcoming issue of Stringing Magazine (August 17). On October 24, Handcrafted Jewelry magazine will feature a photo how-to on torch firing. I'll take you through the process of enameling beads and making a necklace with the beads. Over 9 different enamel colors are used in the making of the beads, with lots of overlapping of colors. My sincere thanks to Danielle Fox for her interest in my work. It has been a pleasure working with the team at Interweave. I have appreciated their thoroughness and dedication to verifying the details of the article.

I have been blessed in so many ways ...